Tag Archives: world environment day

I was searching for inspiration on how I can play my part for the World Environment Day, 2017 (June 5). I could not do much; however, on my visit to Trivandrum, I discovered that the society we stayed in had robust waste segregation measures in place.

Every flat of the society was allotted two garbage bins – a green and a blue one, with lids. Rules regarding waste segregation were posted in the lobby area of each of the building of the society. Wet waste needs to be put in the green bin and the ‘other wastes’ in the blue bin. Clarification was provided regarding ways of disposal of the latter which included a wide range of household waste.

Among the rules was a critical line – the non-segregated waste will ‘NOT’ be picked up by the door-to-door waste collection personnel.

I was impressed with the efficacy of the system.

Further, I decide to see what happens to the segregated waste. I was further surprised that the society complex had an in-built waste treatment system in place. I was told that while the food waste is composted, the other waste (that which cannot be recycled) is incinerated. There was a sewage treatment plant as well, all built in the basement of the building. (See the pictures below) The use of incinerator for combustion of household waste can be debated; however, recycling is definitely a safe, sustainable option.

The bottom line is that pro-active, futuristic buildings have already starting doing their bit. Waste here is treated as a ‘resource’ as food waste generates manure for the up-keeping of the park area of the building. Further, the recyclable waste fetches some revenue; and this way, the entire bulk of household waste is prevented from becoming an eye-sore in some part of the city, as well as a social and environmental nuisance (remember, gases from waste decomposition in landfills contribute to the dangerous ‘climate change’).

The Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan in India has already made ‘Waste Segregation’ a theme for this year’s World Environment Day. The real difference will be when this is done in every household and every building in our country. and our world..!

Well, June 5 may be taken as just another date in calendar. However, it may also be used to reflect on the current status of Environment and climatic conditions. For developing countries like India, this reflection is more relevant. On one hand, India with its burgeoning population, struggles to manage current resource utilization and waste management ; on the other, it wants (& needs) to develop rapidly, unfortunately placing further demand on a fragile environment base. So what does India do? Ignore environment and go full-on on development? CAN INDIA REALLY DO THAT???

Seeing at the current climatic imbalance, I think answer should be NO.

Let me explain: In the previous posts, it was discussed that how un-seasonal rains in March caused a major loss to Indian Economy; and now it is the forecast of ‘deficient rainfall’ during the monsoon months of June to August.

Not that it is the first time monsoon is forecasted to be abnormal; but this is second year in a row and it can impact India majorly – How? A few ways listed…

Fifty percent of its population is dependent on Agriculture (Economic Times, 2014); lower monsoon rains mean lower agricultural productivity and production; causing a direct impact on the income and purchasing power of this segment of population

Farmers are already under great stress due to recent unseasonal rains and existing lacunae in Indian agricultural sector; and for smaller, indebted farmers, lower monsoon rains spell DISASTER and DOOM – a social tragedy for India

Industries like fertilizers; agri-banking; food-processing; textiles etc. would face a direct hit due to lower agricultural input and output – another way how Indian economy will be adversely impacted.

Inflation can face a major spike through two ways – lesser power generation as hydro-electric power generation will go down; diesel demand to go up; and increase in price of food and other supplies due to decreased supply.

While growth will be adversely impacted, inflation can see a surge for all segments of population – an almost ‘WORST-CASE SCENARIO’ for India. Stock markets have already started displaying this sentiment. (Economic Times, 2015)

So India needs to be concerned about climate change; and hence needs to put Environment concerns on equal footing as Development.